Counter mount above-counter fill dispensing systems and refill units for same

ABSTRACT

Exemplary embodiments of dispensing systems and refill units for dispensing systems are provided. One exemplary refill unit for a counter mount dispenser includes a collapsed bag and a tube extending down into the collapsed bag. A fitment is secured to the collapsed bag. The fitment has a filling orifice. A pump for pumping fluid out of the bag is also provided. The collapsed bag fits through an opening in a countertop so that the collapsed bag may be inserted from above the countertop through the opening and at least a part of the collapsed bag extends below the countertop. The collapsed bag is configured to be filled with a liquid after being inserted through the opening in the countertop and the volume of the collapsed bag expands when the collapsed bag is filled with liquid.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to counter mount dispensingsystems, and more particularly to counter mount dispensing systems thatmay be filled from above the counter in a sanitary method, and sanitaryrefill units for such dispensing systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Liquid dispenser systems, such as liquid soap and sanitizer dispensers,provide a user with a predetermined amount of liquid upon actuation ofthe dispenser. In addition, it is sometimes desirable to dispense theliquid in the form of foam by, for example, injecting air into theliquid to create a foamy mixture of liquid and air bubbles. Somedispensing systems are mounted to a counter top and have a spout on topof the counter while having pumps and containers for holding liquid thatare located under the counter. These types of systems are commonlyreferred to either as under-counter mount dispensing systems or countermount dispensing systems. As used herein, the term counter mount orunder-counter mount is used to describe a dispenser system that has aspout located above the counter and the liquid that is dispensed isretained below the counter.

There a few basic types of under-counter mount systems. The first has arefillable container that a user removes, refills with liquid andreinstalls, or simply pours liquid into the opening that is locatedabove the counter in some manual dispensers. These types of dispensersare not desirable because bacteria can grow in the container andcontaminate the liquid. Another type of dispenser has a refill unit thatincludes a liquid pump and a container. When the container is empty, auser must go underneath the counter, remove the empty refill unit andthrown it away. The new refill unit is installed from underneath thecounter. Although these types of refills are more sanitary thanrefilling the container, these types of refill units require a user togo underneath the counter to refill the dispensing system.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of dispensing systems and refill units fordispensing systems are provided. One exemplary refill unit for a countermount dispenser includes a collapsed bag and a tube extending down intothe collapsed bag. A fitment is secured to the collapsed bag. Thefitment has a filling orifice. A pump for pumping fluid out of the bagis also provided. The collapsed bag fits through an opening in acountertop so that the collapsed bag may be inserted from above thecountertop through the opening and at least a part of the collapsed bagextends below the countertop. The collapsed bag is configured to befilled with a liquid after being inserted through the opening in thecountertop and the volume of the collapsed bag expands when thecollapsed bag is filled with liquid.

An exemplary refill system for a counter-mount dispenser includes acontainer for holding a liquid. A refill bag having a width and a lengthis also provided. A tube extends into the refill bag. The refill bag isfolded toward the tube to reduce the overall width of the refill bag sothat it fits through a standard hole in a countertop. The container isconfigured to be releasably placed in fluid communication with therefill bag to transfer fluid from the container to the refill bag afterthe refill bag is inserted through the hole in the countertop and therefill bag unfolds as it fills with liquid.

An exemplary “never out” counter-mount dispenser system is alsodisclosed. The system includes a spout for mounting above a countertop,a first container for mounting below a countertop and a second containerfor mounting below a countertop. At least a portion of the spout ismovable to expose an opening from the spout to the first container andan opening from the spout to the second container. The first containeris for receiving a first refill bag and the second container is forreceiving a second refill bag. The exemplary system includes circuitryfor causing the never out counter-mount dispenser system to dispensefluid from a first refill bag in the first container until the firstrefill bag is empty. It also includes circuitry for causing the neverout counter-mount dispenser system to dispense fluid from the secondrefill bag in the second container when the first refill bag is empty.

Another exemplary counter-mount dispenser includes a housing mountableon a countertop. At least a portion of the housing is movable to exposean opening through the counter. An actuator is provided for causing afluid to be pumped from a refill bag. A receiving area is provided forreceiving a first empty refill bag and at least a portion of the firstempty refill bag is configured to pass through the opening. The firstrefill bag is inserted into the dispenser from above the counter whenthe refill bag is empty and the first refill bag is fillable while inthe dispenser. The first refill bag is also configured to be removedfrom the counter-mount dispenser after the fluid is pumped out of thefirst refill bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome better understood with regard to the following description andaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cross-section of an exemplary countermount dispensing system with two refill units;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a cross-section of an exemplary refill bagfor the counter mount dispenser system of FIG. 1 in a folded condition;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a cross-section of an exemplary refill bagfor the counter mount dispenser system of FIG. 1 in an unfoldedcondition;

FIG. 3A-3D illustrate an exemplary method of folding a refill bag forthe counter mount dispenser system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a cross-section of an exemplary refillunit including a refill bag in a folded condition and refill containerfor an counter mount dispenser system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a cross-section of the counter mountdispenser system of FIG. 1 with the exemplary refill unit of FIG. 4inserted into the dispenser and with the refill bag being filled;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a cross-section of an exemplary countermount foam dispensing system with two refill units;

FIGS. 7A-7H illustrate another exemplary counter mount dispensing systemwith a single refill unit and the process of filling the exemplarycounter mount dispensing system;

FIGS. 8A-8G illustrate another exemplary counter mount dispensing systemwith a single refill unit and the process of filling the exemplaryunder-counter mount dispensing system;

FIGS. 9A-9G illustrate another exemplary counter mount dispensing systemwith a single refill unit and the process of filling the exemplarycounter mount dispensing system;

FIGS. 10A-10H illustrate another exemplary counter mount dispensingsystem with a single refill unit and the process of filling theexemplary under-counter mount dispensing system; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic diagram of exemplary circuitry foroperating touch free counter mount dispensing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An exemplary embodiment of a counter mount top-fill dispenser system 100is disclosed herein. The dispenser system 100 includes a spout 102secured to a counter top 104. Spout 102 may be secured to spout 102 byany means, such as, for example, by being secured to housing 107. Theexemplary spout 102 has a hinged cover 103 that may be opened to insertrefill units 120, 140 into dispenser system 100. Housing 107 extendsthrough the opening 105 in the countertop 104. System 100 is designed tofit in a standard opening 105, which is about 1 inch wide. Accordingly,the sanitary refill bags 120, 130 are sized and folded to fit throughhousing 107.

Dispenser system 100 includes a electronics package 170. Electronicspackage 170 includes a power supply, such as, a plurality of batteries.In some embodiments, the power supply may be a 120 volt power source andelectronics package 170 may include a transformer. An exemplaryelectronics package is described in more detail with respect to FIG. 11.Object sensor and display circuitry 180 provides a signal to electronicspackage 170 if an object is present and alerts a user if one or both ofthe refill bags 120, 140 are empty and need to be replaced. Dispensersystem 100 also includes an actuator 172 to pump liquid from the refillbag 128, 148 to the end 134, 154 of their respective dispense tubes 132,152.

Dispenser system 100 includes a first protective container 112 and asecond protective container 114. Protective containers 112, 114 may berigid containers. In the present embodiment, protective containers 112,114 are bags. In some embodiments, the protective containers 112, 114may be made of a mesh type material. In some embodiments, protectivecontainers 112, 114 provide support and protection for refill bags 128,148, and in others merely provide support. In some embodiments,containers 112, 114 retain liquid in the event one of the refill bags128, 148 rupture. In some embodiments, containers 112, 114 have theability to be removed or opened to clean out any liquid that enterscontainers 112, 114 through a ruptured refill bag 128, 148. Refill bags128, 148 may be made of any material, such as, for example,Polyethylene, LLDPE, LDPE, MDPE, HDPE, Nylon, Vinyl and EVA

Secured to refill bags 128, 148 are fitments 122, 142. On the lower sideof fitments 122, 142 are dip tubes 130, 150. Dip tubes 130, 150 extenddown into the bottom of refill bags 128, 148 and are used to draw liquidup from the bottom of refill bags 128, 148. Fitments 122, 142 includepumps 126, 146 which are connected to the dip tubes 130, 150. Fitments122, 142 also include annular projections 124, 144 for receivingdelivery tubes 132, 152. Movement of the pumps 126, 146 up and downpumps fluid from the refill bags 128, 148 out through the dispense tubes132, 152. In some embodiments, the pumps 126, 146 are located in thebottom of their respective refill bags 128, 148 and tubes 130, 150 aredelivery tubes to deliver the liquid products upward.

Actuator 172 is a long rod that extends from the electronics package 170below the counter top to above the counter top where pumps 124, 144 arelocated. One or more level detection sensors provide a signal to theelectronics package 170 so that the electronics package 170 candetermine when a refill bag 128, 148 is empty. Once a refill bag 128,148 is empty, electronics package 170 illuminates an indicating light onobject sensor and display circuitry 180. In addition, actuator 172rotates about 180 degrees so that actuator arm 174 operates the pump onthe refill unit 120 or 140 that is not empty. In embodiments with theliquid pump located in the bottom of the refill bag or below the refillbag, the actuator need not extend above the counter top.

The level sensors (not shown) may be optical sensors, proximity sensors,floats, conductive sensors, weight sensors, or the like. In someembodiments, conductive ink tracers (not shown) extend down the diptubes 130, 150, or inside of refill bags 128, 148. The conductive inktracers may be used to provide a signal to the electronics package. Ifthere is fluid present in the refill bag 128, 148, the fluid completes acircuit between two conductive ink tracers. If the circuit is broken,the electronics package 170 may determine that the refill bag 128, 148is empty.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an exemplary refill bag 128 (refill bag 140 isidentical and will not be described in detail herein). FIG. 2illustrates refill bag 128 in a folded state and FIG. 3 illustratesrefill bag 128 in an unfolded state. As described above, refill bag 128includes fitment 122 a pump 124 and an annular projection 123 thatreceives a dispense tube (not shown). In addition, fitment 122 includesan opening (not shown) for connecting to a container (not shown) to fillthe refill bag 128 after the refill bag 128 is inserted into a dispensersystem. In some embodiments, the bottom of refill bag 128 tapers and islower in the center to cause liquid in the refill bag 128 to flow to thedip tube 630 which is at the lowest point in the refill bag 128.

FIG. 3A is a cross-section of refill bag 128 and dip tube 130 of refillunit 120. The outer ends of refill bag 128 are folded in and over againand again, see FIGS. 3B and 3C until the folds are proximate the diptube 130. The two folded portions are folded together as shown in FIG.3D and are held together by one or more small pieces of tape 375. Whenrefill bag 128 is filled with liquid, the tape 375 releases and therefill bag 128 unfolds.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary refill unit 400 having a container 402connected to fitment 122. In some embodiments, refill unit 400 isshipped to the customer as illustrated with the refill unit 120 and diptube connected to container 402. In some embodiments, a user connectsrefill unit 120 to container 402. Container 402 may be a rigid containerwith a vent (not shown), a collapsible container, a plastic bag or thelike.

FIG. 5 illustrates refilling the exemplary foam dispenser system 100.Refill 120 is inserted through the opening in housing 107 and the refillbag 128 and dip tube 130 are directed to protective container 112.Refill bag 128 and dip tube 130 are directed to protective container 112by one or more partitions (not shown). In some embodiments, housing 107holds fitment 122 above the counter top 104 and off-set (particularly iftwo refill units 120, 140 are used in the dispensing system 100).Because the opening 105 in the counter top 104 is only about 1 inchwide, raising fitment 122 above the counter top 104 and off-set form thecenter of the hole allows the upper portion 129 of refill bag 128 toexpand and fill as much of the opening 105 as possible. This allowsfluid from container 402 to flow into refill bag 128 as quickly aspossible.

When container 402 is empty, container 402 is twisted to remove thecontainer 402. Twisting container 402 seals the opening (not shown) infitment 122 to seal refill bag 128. In some embodiments, twistingcontainer 402 permanently seals refill bag 128. In some embodiments, theopening (not shown) in fitment 122 has a one-way connector forconnecting to container 122. In some embodiments, container 122 moves aone-way valve to allow fluid to flow into container 128. Once thecontainer 402 is removed, a user inserts dispensing tube 132 intoannular projection 126 and closes hinged cover 103 of spout 102 and thedispensing system is ready for use. In some embodiments, removingcontainer 402 breaks of a frangible portion of the container 402 orfitment 122 to permanently seal the opening in fitment 122 to prevent auser from refilling refill bag 128 multiple times.

When a refill unit 120 or 140 is empty and needs to be replaced, a useropens hinged cover 103 of spout 102 and pulls the dispensing tube 132 or152 out of the spout 102. The user pulls fitments 122 or 142 upward,which pulls refill bag 128 or 148 and dip tubes 130 or 150 upwardthrough opening 105.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a foam dispensing system600. Foam dispensing system 600 is similar to dispensing system 100 butalso includes an air compressor 690 for providing compressed air to mixwith the liquid to cause the liquid to be dispensed as a foam.

The dispenser system 600 includes a spout 602 secured to a counter top604. Spout 602 may be secured to spout 602 by any means, such as, forexample, by being secured to housing 607. The exemplary spout 602 has ahinged cover 603 that may be opened to insert refill units 620, 640 intodispenser system 600. Housing 607 extends through the opening 605 in thecountertop 604. System 600 is designed to fit in a standard opening 605,which is about 1 inch wide. Accordingly, the sanitary refill bags 620,630 are sized and folded to fit through housing 607 when empty andcollapsed.

Dispenser system 600 includes one or more air compressors 690. In oneembodiment, the one or more air compressors 690 are permanently mountedin dispensing system 600. If the one or more air compressors 690 arepermanently mounted in dispenser system 600, the one or more aircompressors 690 are releasably connected to fitments 622 and 642. Airpassages (not shown) and liquid passages (not shown) in fitments 622 and642 intersect in a mixing chamber (not shown) as commonly known in theindustry. One or more foaming screens may be located in fitments 622,642 or in annular projection 622 and 646 to help generate foam.

In some embodiments, an air compressor is mounted on each of fitments622, 642 and is removable with the refill bag 628, 648 and fitments 622,642. The one or more air compressors 690 are shown above the countertop604, but may be located below the counter top.

Dispenser system 600 includes an electronics package (not shown) that issubstantially the same as electronics package, which is not shown forclarity. An exemplary electronics package is shown and described withrespect to FIG. 11. Object sensor and display circuitry 680 provides asignal to electronics package when an object is present and alerts auser if one or both of the refill bags 620, 640 are empty and need to bereplaced. Dispenser system 600 also includes an actuator (not shown) topump liquid from the refill bag 628, 648 to the end 634, 654 of theirrespective dispense tubes 632, 652 and to pump air from the aircompressor(s) 690.

Dispenser system 600 includes a first protective container 612 and asecond protective container 614. Protective containers 612, 614 may berigid containers. In the present embodiment, protective containers 612,614 are bags. Optionally, the protective containers 612, 614 may be madeof a mesh type material. In some embodiments, protective containers 612,614 provide support and protection for refill bags 628, 648, and inothers merely provide support. In some embodiments, the protectivecontainers 612, 614 are configured to contain any liquid that flows outof a ruptured refill bag. In some embodiments, the protective container612, 614 are configured to be removable, or opened to be cleaned if theyare contaminated by liquid from the refill bags 628, 648.

As described above, refill bags 628, 648 may be made of any suitablematerial that may be folded to allow them to pass through the opening605 and strong enough to hold the liquid without leaking.

Secured to refill bags 628, 648 are fitments 622, 642. On the lower sideof fitments 622, 642 are dip tubes 630, 650. Dip tubes 630, 650 extenddown into the bottom of refill bags 628, 648 and are used to draw liquidup from the bottom of refill bags 628, 648. Fitments 622, 642 includepumps 626, 1646 which are connected to the dip tubes 630, 650. Fitments122, 142 also include annular projections 624, 644 for receivingdelivery tubes 632, 652. As described above, fitments 622, 644 alsoinclude air passages (not shown), a mixing chamber (not shown), and oneor more screens (not shown). Movement of the pumps 626, 646 up and downpumps fluid from the refill bags 628, 648 into the mixing chamber whereit mixes with air from the one or more air compressors 690, passesthrough the screens and turns to foam which passes out through thedispense tubes 632, 652. In some embodiments the pumps are located atthe bottom of the refill bags 628, 648 and tubes 630, 650 are deliverytubes.

An actuator (not shown) operates liquid pumps 626, 646 and the one ormore air compressors 690. As described above, an electronics packagemonitors the liquid level in the refill bag 628, 648 and when a refillbag, such as, for example, refill bag 628 is empty, the dispenser system600 pumps liquid from the other refill bag 648.

FIGS. 7A through 7H illustrate an exemplary dispensing system 700.Dispensing system 700 may be a sanitary system in that the all of theparts that contact liquid may be disposed of each time the dispensersystem is refilled. FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary refill unit 750.Refill unit 750 includes a container 751. Container 751 is a bag likecontainer and includes a handle 760 for holding the refill unit 750.Container 751 is connected to fitment 752 which includes a pumpingmechanism not shown. Located within container 751 is a dispensing tube757. Dispensing tube 757 is protected from the liquid located withincontainer 751 by a sheath 758. Sheath 758 is connected to container 751so when container 751 is removed, the sheath 758 is also removed. Thus,the outside of dispensing tube 757 is not covered by liquid after therefill unit 750 is installed.

In addition, refill unit 750 includes a refill bag 754 and dip tube 756.In one embodiment, refill bag 754 is rolled around dip tube 756. In oneembodiment, refill bag 754 is first folded and then rolled around diptube 756, and in one embodiment refill bag 754 is folded.

As may be seen in FIGS. 7B and 7C, a spout 702 is releasably connectedto a base 703. Pressing catch 703A inward allows spout 702 to lift offof base 703. Optionally, spout 702 may be hingedly connected to base 703and may swing out of the way. Once spout 702 is out of the way, theempty refill unit (not shown) is pulled upward out of the dispensersystem 700.

Refill unit 750 is positioned over the top of base 703 and the refillbag 754 and dip tube 756 are lowered down through an opening (not shown)in base 703 and counter top 710 as illustrated in FIGS. 7D and 7E. Whenfitment 752 is located in its proper place, a passage opens in fitment752 allowing the liquid in container 751 to flow into refill bag 754which expands as illustrated in FIG. 7F. The passage may openautomatically, or be opened by the user. As shown in FIG. 7G, once therefill bag 754 is full and container 751 is empty, container 751 andsheath 758 are removed leaving dispense tube 757 extending above base703. Dispense tube 757 is threaded up through spout 702 and spout 702 issecured to base 703.

In some embodiments, dispenser 700 is an electronically activateddispenser and includes the necessary components to sense an object andoperate a pump located in fitment 752. In some embodiments, dispenser700 is manually operated and the spout 702 may for example, move up anddown with respect to base 703 to pump fluid.

FIGS. 8A through 8G illustrate another exemplary embodiment of adispensing system 800. Dispensing system 800 includes a refill unit 850.Refill unit 850 includes a container 851, a dispensing tube 860, afitment 856, a refill bag 854 and a dip tube 855 secured to fitment 856.Fitment 856 includes a pump (not shown) and an annular projection 858for receiving dispense tube 860. As illustrated in FIGS. 8B and 8C,spout 802 separates from base 803 leaving an opening 805 through base803 and counter top 810. Refill bag 854 and dip tube 854 are lowereddown through the opening 805 (FIG. 8D) so that the refill bag 854 hangsbelow the bottom of the counter top 810. Optionally, a container (notshown) may be located below the counter top 810 to support and/orprotect refill bag 854.

As illustrated in FIG. 8E container 851 is connected to fitment 856 andliquid flows down into refill bag 854. Once container 851 is empty, thecontainer 851 is removed and dispensing tube 860 is attached to annularprojection 858. Dispensing tube 860 is threaded up through spout 802 andspout 802 is connected to base 803.

In some embodiments, dispenser 800 is an electronically activateddispenser and includes the necessary components to sense and object andoperate a pump located in fitment 856. In some embodiments, dispenser800 is manually operated and the spout 802 may for example, move up anddown with respect to base 803 to pump fluid.

FIGS. 9A through 9G illustrate yet another exemplary embodiment of adispensing system 900. Dispensing system 900 includes a refill unit 950.Refill unit 950 includes a dispensing tube 960, a pump 956, dip tube957, a refill bag 951 and a cylindrical housing 962. Cylindrical housing962 is sized to fit through a standard opening in a counter top. Locatedbelow cylindrical housing 962 is a lower portion 954 of refill bag 951.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9B and 9C, cylindrical housing 962 is loweredinto opening 905. A user then gently squeezes refill bag 951 (FIG. 9F)causing fluid to flow under pressure, and/or due to gravity, into lowerportion 954 of refill bag 951. As the fluid flows into the lower portion954 of refill bag 951, refill bag 951 moves downward into and throughcylindrical housing 962. In some embodiments, dispensing system 900includes a container 912 located under the countertop 910 to support andprotect refill bag 951. Dispensing tube 960 is threaded up through spout902 and spout 902 is connected to base 903. To remove an empty refillunit 950, a user simply removes spout 902 and pulls upward on dispensetube 960 and or fitment 956.

FIG. 10 illustrates yet another embodiment of a dispensing system 1000.Dispensing system 1000 is particularly useful in locations that requirea large number of dispensers. Dispenser system 1000 includes a bulkcontainer 1051 illustrated in FIG. 10A. Bulk container 1051 includespumping mechanism 1055 that pumps fluid out of container 1051 throughhose 1053. Hose, 1053 includes a connector 1053A.

FIG. 10B illustrates a refill unit 1058. Refill unit 1058 includes afitment 1052 that includes a pump (not shown). A dispensing tube 1060 issecured to fitment 4052. In addition, a refill port 1053 is in the sideof fitment 1052. Refill unit 1058 also includes a refill bag 1054 anddip tube 1055. Refill bag 1054 is rolled around dip tube 1055 so thatthe refill bag 1054 will fit through the opening in base 1003 andcounter top 1010.

As illustrated in FIGS. 10C and 10D, spout 1002 is secured to base 1003.Spout 1002 is split in two halves 1002A and 1002B. First half 1002B isstationary and second half 1002A is hingedly connected to base 1003.Second half 1002A rotates outward to expose an opening in spout 1054.Refill unit 1058 is lowered through the opening in spout 1002. Asillustrated in FIG. 10F, base 1003 includes a door 1003A that opens toreveal an opening 1006 in base 1003. When refill unit 1058 is insertedinto spout 1002, refill port 1053 is aligned with opening 1006.

As illustrated in FIG. 10G, connector 1053A of hose 1053 is connectedthrough opening 1006 with refill port 1053. A user pumps pump 1055 ofbulk container 1051 and the refill bag 1054 is filled (see FIG. 10H).Once the refill bag 1054 is filled, the user removes hose 1053, closesdoor 1003A and closes the second half 1002A of spout 1002.

In some embodiments, dispenser system 1000 is an electronicallyactivated dispenser and includes the necessary components to sense andobject and operate a pump located in fitment 1052. In some embodiments,dispenser system 1000 is manually operated and the spout 1002 may forexample, move up and down with respect to base 1003 to pump fluid.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic diagram of exemplary circuitry foroperating touch free counter mount dispensing system 1100. Dispensingsystem 1100 has a spout 1102 located above counter 1108. Spout 1102includes an object sensor 1104 and one or more indicators 1106, such as,for example, light emitting diodes. The light emitting diodes may, forexample, provide indication of the status of the dispensing system 1100or the status of one or more refill units (not shown) located within thedispenser system 1100. Object sensor 1104 and indicator(s) 1106 are incircuit communication with processor 1122, which is located inelectronics package 1120 located below counter top 1108.

Although the electrical components are described as being in certainlocations, or as being part of an “electronics package,” the componentsmay be located in any suitable location and more or less components maybe included. The term electronics package is merely used for convenienceand is not meant to limit the number of components or their location.

“Circuit communication” as used herein indicates a communicativerelationship between devices. Direct electrical, electromagnetic andoptical connections and indirect electrical, electromagnetic and opticalconnections are examples of circuit communication. Two devices are incircuit communication if a signal from one is received by the other,regardless of whether the signal is modified by some other device. Forexample, two devices separated by one or more of thefollowing—amplifiers, filters, transformers, optoisolators, digital oranalog buffers, analog integrators, other electronic circuitry, fiberoptic transceivers or satellites—are in circuit communication if asignal from one is communicated to the other, even though the signal ismodified by the intermediate device(s). As another example, anelectromagnetic sensor is in circuit communication with a signal if itreceives electromagnetic radiation from the signal. As a final example,two devices not directly connected to each other, but both capable ofinterfacing with a third device, such as, for example, a CPU, are incircuit communication.

Also, as used herein, voltages and values representing digitizedvoltages are considered to be equivalent for the purposes of thisapplication, and thus the term “voltage” as used herein refers to eithera signal, or a value in a processor representing a signal, or a value ina processor determined from a value representing a signal.

“Signal”, as used herein includes, but is not limited to one or moreelectrical signals, analog or digital signals, one or more computerinstructions, a bit or bit stream, or the like.

“Logic,” synonymous with “circuit” as used herein includes, but is notlimited to hardware, firmware, software and/or combinations of each toperform a function(s) or an action(s). For example, based on a desiredapplication or needs, logic may include a software controlledmicroprocessor or microcontroller, discrete logic, such as anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or other programmed logicdevice. Logic may also be fully embodied as software. The circuitsidentified and described herein may have many different configurationsto perform the desired functions.

The values identified in the detailed description are exemplary and theyare determined as needed for a particular dispenser and/or refilldesign. Accordingly, the inventive concepts disclosed and claimed hereinare not limited to the particular values or ranges of values used todescribe the embodiments disclosed herein.

Electronics package 1120 includes a power supply 1134. Power supply 1134may be any power supply, such as, for example, a plurality of batteries.Optionally, electronics package 1120 may be wired into an AC powersource and power supply 1134 may include a transformer. Power supply1134 is in circuit communication with air compressor drive circuitry1126, refill selection circuitry 1130, actuator drive circuitry 1136,processor 1122 and any other circuitry that requires power.

Processor 1122 is in circuit communication with memory 1124. Memory 1124may be any type of memory, such as, for example, Random Access Memory(RAM); Read Only Memory (ROM); programmable read-only memory (PROM),electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disk or tape,optically readable mediums including CD-ROM and DVD-ROM, or the like, orcombinations of different types of memory. In some embodiments, thememory 1124 is separate from the processor 1122, and in someembodiments, the memory 1124 resides on or within processor 1122.

Processor 1122 is in circuit communication with refill level sensorcircuitry 1140 that allows processor 1122 to monitor the liquid level inthe refill units (not shown). Although certain portions of “circuitry”are shown outside of the processor 1122, some or all of the circuitrymay be contained in logic in the processor 1122 or on memory 1124. Asdescribed above, the refill level sensor circuitry may include opticalsensors, proximity sensors, floats, conductive sensors, weight sensors,or the like, and logic for providing an input to processor 1122. In someembodiments, conductive ink tracers extend down the dip tubes (notshown), or inside of refill bags (not shown). The conductive ink tracersmay be used to provide a signal to the processor 1122. If there is fluidpresent in the refill bag, the fluid completes a circuit between twoconductive ink tracers. If the circuit is broken, the processor 1124 maydetermine that the refill bag is empty.

Processor 1122 is also in circuit communication with refill selectioncircuitry 1130. Refill section circuitry 1130 is used by processor 1122to select one refill unit to pump fluid out of until that refill unit isdetermined to be empty. If a refill unit is determined to be empty,refill selection circuitry 1130 causes the actuator to engage a secondrefill, and processor 1122 turns on an indicator 1106 to notify a userthat a refill is empty and needs to be replaced. In some embodiments,refill selection circuitry 1130 is in circuit communication with a drivemotor 1132 that repositions an actuator to operate the second refillunit.

Processor 1122 is also in circuit communication with actuator drivecircuitry 1136. Actuator drive circuitry is in circuit communicationwith drive motor 1138 which moves the actuator to dispense fluid whenprocessor 1122 determines that object sensor 1104 has detected anobject. In addition processor 1122 is in circuit communication with aircompressor drive circuitry 1126 (in a foam dispensing system). Aircompressor drive circuitry is in circuit communication with drive motor1128 which operates an air compressor (not shown) to mix air with liquidwhen the dispensing system 1100 is operated. Optionally, one drive motormay operate both the air compressor and the fluid pumps.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description ofembodiments thereof and while the embodiments have been described inconsiderable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants torestrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to suchdetail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear tothose skilled in the art. Moreover, elements described with oneembodiment may be readily adapted for use with other embodiments.Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to thespecific details, the representative apparatus and illustrative examplesshown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from suchdetails without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicants'general inventive concept.

We claim:
 1. A refill unit for a counter mount dispenser comprising: acollapsed bag; a tube extending down into the collapsed bag; a fitmentsecured to the collapsed bag; the fitment having a filling orifice; apump for pumping fluid out of the bag; wherein the collapsed bag fitsthrough an opening in a countertop so that the collapsed bag may beinserted from above the countertop through the opening and at least apart of the collapsed bag extends below the countertop; and wherein thecollapsed bag is configured to be filled with a liquid after beinginserted through the opening in the countertop and the volume of thecollapsed bag expands when the collapsed bag is filled with liquid. 2.The refill unit of claim 1 further comprising a dispense tube extendingupward from the fitment.
 3. The refill unit of claim 2 wherein thecollapsed bag may be removed from a dispenser system through the openingin the countertop after liquid is removed from the refill unit.
 4. Therefill unit of claim 2 further comprising: a mixing chamber; an airinlet into the mixing chamber; a passageway from an output of the liquidpump to the mixing chamber; and wherein the dispense tube is in fluidcommunication with the mixing chamber such that during operation amixture of air and liquid may be forced through the dispense tube anddispensed as a foam.
 5. The refill unit of claim 4 further comprising anair compressor secured to the refill unit.
 6. The refill unit of claim 1wherein the tube is a dip tube.
 7. The refill unit of claim 1 whereinthe collapsed bag is folded.
 8. The refill unit of claim 1 wherein thecollapsed bag is rolled.
 9. The refill unit of claim 1 furthercomprising a container filled with a fluid for filling the collapsedbag.
 10. A refill system for a counter-mount dispenser comprising: acontainer for holding a liquid; a refill bag having a width and alength; a tube; the tube extending down into the refill bag; wherein therefill bag is compressed toward the tube to reduce the overall width ofthe refill bag to fit through a standard hole in a countertop; whereinthe container is configured to be releasably placed in fluidcommunication with the refill bag to transfer fluid from the containerto the refill bag after the refill bag is inserted through the hole inthe countertop and the refill bag expands as it fills with liquid.
 11. Anever out counter-mount dispenser system comprising: a spout formounting above a countertop; a first container for mounting below acountertop; a second container for mounting below a countertop; at leasta portion of the spout is movable to expose an opening from the spout tothe first container and an opening from the spout to the secondcontainer; the first container configured for receiving a first refillbag; the second container configured for receiving a second refill bag;circuitry for causing the never out counter-mount dispenser system todispense fluid from a first refill bag in the first container until thefirst refill bag is empty; circuitry for causing the never outcounter-mount dispenser system to dispense fluid from the second refillbag in the second container once the first refill bag is empty.
 12. Thenever out counter-mount dispenser system of claim 11 further comprisinga housing for holding a first fitment located on a first refill bag anda second fitment located on a second refill bag above the surface of thecountertop.
 13. The never out counter-mount dispenser system of claim 12further comprising a first refill bag and a second refill bag.
 14. Thenever out counter-mount dispenser system of claim 11 further comprisingan air compressor for providing compressed air to mix with a liquid. 15.A counter-mount dispenser comprising: a housing mountable on acountertop; at least a portion of the housing is movable to expose anopening through the counter; an actuator for causing a fluid to bepumped from a refill bag; a receiving area for receiving a first emptyrefill bag, wherein at least a portion first empty refill bag isconfigured to pass through the opening; wherein the first refill bag isinserted into the dispenser from above the counter when the refill bagis empty; wherein the first refill bag is fillable while in thedispenser; and wherein the first refill bag is configured to be removedfrom the counter-mount dispenser after the fluid is pumped out of thefirst refill bag.
 16. The counter-mount dispenser of claim 15 furthercomprising a first refill bag.
 17. The counter-mount dispenser of claim16 further comprising a receiving area for a second refill bag.
 18. Thecounter-mount dispenser of claim 17 further comprising refill selectioncircuitry for causing the actuator to dispense fluid from the firstrefill bag until the first refill bag is empty and to dispense fluidfrom the second refill bag until the second refill bag is empty.
 19. Thecounter-mount dispenser of claim 15 further comprising a refill levelsensor for determining whether a first or second refill bag is empty.20. The counter-mount dispenser of claim 15 further comprising anindicator for indicating whether or not a refill bag is empty.